Using at full the administrative resource, two major political forces of Ukraine – the blocs of President Viktor Yushchenko, right, and PM Viktor Yanukovich, left, – marked the Independence Day by blows of no precedent.
Photo: Nikolai Lazarenko
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The Tug-Of War
Ukraine celebrates the Day of Independence today, August 24, 2007. Using at full administrative resource, two major political forces of this country – the blocs of President Viktor Yushchenko and PM Viktor Yanukovich – marked the national holiday by blows of no precedent.
In time of fierce struggle for Ukrainian parliament, the president and prime minister delivered two separate congratulating messages to the nation. Yushchenko addressed the Ukrainians as the guarantor of constitutional freedom, while Yanukovich positioned himself as the guarantor of economic stability and social welfare.
The fight of above two guarantors apparently reached the record height on the eve of 16-year anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. As the day of parliamentary elections draws near, two uncompromising and relatively equal forces are making the best of administrative resource to strengthen their standing.
In an effort to win new votes, Yanukovich played the Russian card again. The prime minister left Kiev for MAKS-2007 international air show held near Moscow, but not to see the aircraft and clinch deals, but to talk with President Vladimir Putin. En route to Putin, Yanukovich safely passed all hurdles staged by Ukrainian embassy in Moscow to break his working tour to Russia.
Meanwhile in Ukraine, the president’s office took real pains to prevent the cabinet from meeting out-of-doors. By strange coincidence, seven governors of central regions of the county that were to attend that meeting were committed by Yushchenko’s bureaucrats to go to the Barvysta Ukraine (Colorful Ukraine) Exhibition instead of joining the get-together of cabinet dedicated to the work in the fields in the fall.
Regardless, the main election battle in Ukraine is apparently being fought for the key ministries. In addition to pro-president’s Foreign Ministry, combat operations involve Yushchenko’s Defense Ministry and Emergency Ministry that is loyal to Yanukovich.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 24, 2007
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